Toy construction kit and tile

ABSTRACT

A construction toy kit and tile are provided for a low-profile interlocking toy. The construction toy kit contains a plurality of tiles, each comprising two parallel plates connected to one another by a sidewall. A support structure is disposed in a cavity defined by the parallel plates and sidewall to simultaneously prevent each plate from flexing relative to one another and reduce the overall weight of the tile. A plurality of coupling studs extend outward from an outer surface of the tile and configured to enable each tile to couple, mate, or mesh with at least one other tile in the kit, according to various embodiments defining the type, size, and arrangement of coupling studs.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACT

Not applicable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT RE. FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARK NOTICES

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may contain materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may showand/or describe matter which is or may become trade dress of the owner.The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by any one of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files orrecords, but otherwise reserves all copyrights and trade dress rightswhatsoever.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates generally to interlocking toys kitsand tiles for creative and educational play and, more particularly, to aconstruction toy kit of tiles comprising a tile configured to couplewith another tile.

BACKGROUND

Though primarily for entertainment, some toys allow users to learn in afun and creative environment. For instance, construction toys allow theuser to explore geometry and engineering principles through the creationof basic structures while also having fun and exercising creativity.Traditional wooden blocks, Lincoln Logs addressed in U.S. Pat. No.1,351,086 to Lloyd, and LEGO bricks subject to U.S. Pat. No. 3,005,282to Kirk, are some examples of well-beloved construction toys. WhileLincoln Logs and LEGO bricks reduce the risk of toppling structuresbuilt with traditional smooth blocks through their respective,well-known locking structures, they do require significant dexterity tocombine, which limits use to children of certain age and ability.Lincoln Logs further limit a user's play by requiring users to combinethe components in set configurations, which severely limitingcreativity. Additionally, wooden blocks and LEGO bricks have some heftto them, and, owing to their particular dimensions including height, canbe prone to toppling. This, in addition to relatively sharp corners, cancause injury to a user. Indeed, the potential for injury from seeminglyinnocuous LEGO bricks is so well known that it has become an amusing,well-circulated meme on the Internet. Even further, all of theseproposals require significant space—for play and storage—because theircomponents are bulky.

One proposal to address the deficiencies in classic construction toys isU.S. Pat. No. 10,881,974 to Donohoe, which teaches a connector forlog-style construction toys. While this proposal attempts to increasethe combinability of classic construction toys, it is quite limitedsince it simply allows the user to change the combination direction atset points. Thus, while this proposal allows for more freedom inconnection, creativity is limited to only a few set combinations.

Further proposals to improve construction toys are U.S. Pat. No.6,746,297 to Robjent and U.S. Pat. No. 8,961,258 to Balint, which teachtoy building sets with interlocking panels. However, these proposals aredeficient because the interlocking mechanisms specified requiresignificant dexterity. This limits the utility of the construction toysas many potential users, including young users, those with undevelopedfine motor skills, and even those with physical or developmentaldisabilities, may lack the motor skills necessary to play with thebuilding sets. Balint, for example, provides that locking is achieved byinserting a tile protrusion into an extrusion on a second tile and thentwisting one tile relative to the other. This not only limitsarrangements of tiles as flat surfaces, but the locking and twistingmechanism require significant dexterity to operate, preventing access tomany. Further, these proposals are deficient because they teach solidpanels, which increases the weight, thus increasing the possible risk ofinjury and requiring significant dexterity to manipulate the panels forplay.

Thus, although various proposals have been made for different types ofconstruction toys, none of those in existence combine thecharacteristics of the present invention. Therefore, there remains aneed for a construction toy that is easily combinable, compact, andlightweight.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a construction toy kit which maycomprise a plurality of interlocking toy tiles comprising a first andsecond plate, at least one coupling stud on the first plate, at leastone side wall extending between the first and second plates, and asupport structure interposed between the first and second plate.

For purposes of summarizing, certain aspects, advantages, and novelfeatures have been described. It is to be understood that not all suchadvantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particularembodiment. Thus, the disclosed subject matter may be embodied orcarried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage orgroup of advantages without achieving all advantages as may be taught orsuggested.

In accordance with one embodiment, the tile may be a round, square,rectangle, parallelogram, triangle, or any other shape. The tile mayfurther be shaped as any letter of the English alphabet or any otherlanguage. It is contemplated that to obtain the shape, the first andsecond face of the tile may be the same shape. It is furthercontemplated that the first and second face of the tile may be the samesize, though this will not be necessary to practice the invention.

In one embodiment, the tile may contain a side wall extending from atleast one edge defining the first plate towards at least one edgedefining the second plate. In some embodiments, the side wall may extendcontinuously around the first and second plate such that a cavity may bedefined by the first and second plate and the side wall.

The toy tile may comprise a support structure interposed between thefirst and second plate. In some embodiments, the support structure maybe disposed within the cavity defined by the first and second plate andthe side wall and further configured to provide internal support to thetile. For instance, the support structure may be configured to preventthe flexing of the first and/or second plate of the tile.

The support structure may be defined as structure operative to providesupport to the tile between the first and second plates, and therefore,in some embodiments, support structure may comprise a framework, and, insome embodiments, the framework may comprise an infill pattern such as,for example only and without limitation, a beam, truss, honeycombdesign, block, contour, point, web, or line. A person of ordinary skillin the art will appreciate that innumerable infill patterns forproviding structural support between the plates comprising the tile areavailable to practice the invention, and therefore, the invention shallnot be limited by the particular framework or infill pattern definingthe support structure.

In some embodiments, the support structure may be separate and distinctfrom the first and second plates, however, it is contemplated that thesupport structure may alternatively or additionally be formed on aninner surface of the first or second plate. For instance, the secondplate may be formed, such as by molding, to define a recess projectinginward toward the inner surface of the first plate.

It is contemplated that the support structure may define any shapeoperative to provide support between the first and second plates. Forexample only and without limitation, the support structure may defineone or more beams, stadiums, parallelograms, triangles, or circles. Insome embodiments, the support structure may be the same shape as thetile. In another embodiment, the support structure may be a shapedifferent from the tile. Thus, in one, non-limiting, clarifying example,the tile may be square while the support structure may be a stadium.

In addition to the at least one coupling stud comprising the firstplate, and in accordance with just one non-limiting embodiment, an outersurface of the second plate may comprise a means for coupling the tileto another tile. For example and without limitation, the means forcoupling on the second plate may be a recess, coupling studs, magnets,or even tubular projections, among many others, including combinationsof the same.

In some embodiments, the recess formed as a support structure on thesecond plate may even be configured to securely yet removably couplewith at least one coupling stud on another tile in the kit. In suchembodiments, the recess may be sized such that one or more of the atleast one coupling stud are configured to frictionally contact with atleast one boundary or edge defining the recess. In another embodiment,the recess may be defined by the structural support

It is contemplated that the construction toy kit may comprise a varietyof the toy tiles as described. For example and without limitation, theconstruction toy kit may comprise at least one tile comprising a recesson the second plate and at least one tile comprising an essentially flatsecond plate. As a further example, the construction toy kit maycomprise at least one tile of a circular shape, at least one tile of arectangular shape, and at least one tile of a triangle shape, as well asother polygons and combinations of the same.

In another embodiment, the construction toy kit may comprise tilewherein the second plate comprises one or more coupling studs. In someembodiments, the second plate may be molded to define one or morecoupling studs integrated on the outer surface of the second plate.

In one embodiment, the one or more coupling studs may be configured tosecurely yet removably couple with another one or more coupling studs onanother tile formed in accordance with embodiments of the tilesdisclosed herein. In some such embodiments, at least one of the one ormore coupling studs may define an aperture extending outward from theouter surface of the first or second plate.

According to some embodiments, the aperture may be sized to mate withone or more other coupling studs on any of the first and second platesof other tiles comprising the invention. For example, the inner diameterof the aperture may frictionally engage with an outer surface of suchone or more other coupling studs. A person of ordinary skill willappreciate tolerances necessary to create frictional engagement.

In another embodiment, the kit may comprise tiles operative to securelyyet removably mesh with one another. For instance, it is contemplatedthat the one or more coupling studs may be configured, arranged, anddistributed on an outer surface of the first tile such that the firsttile one or more coupling studs may mesh in any space between one ormore coupling studs distributed on an outer surface of the second tile.In other words, and for example and without limitation, each, or atleast some, of the one or more coupling studs of one tile comprising theinvention may be arranged and sized such that the distance defining anyspace between such one or more coupling studs is sized to receive, andindeed frictionally contact, the one or more coupling studs of anothertile comprising the invention. In some embodiments, the tiles may beoffset when meshed. In another embodiment, at least one edge of thefirst tile may be aligned with the at least one edge of the second tilewhen meshed or otherwise coupled to one another. As such, in someembodiments, the one or more coupling studs on at least a first andsecond tile may be uniformly distributed with respect to one another. Insome embodiments, the tiles may comprise different numbers, sizes, typesand arrangements of coupling studs with respect to one another.

It is contemplated that a kit may comprise a plurality of theaforementioned tile embodiments. At least one of the plurality of tilesmay be operative to securely yet removably interlock with at least oneof another of the plurality of tiles in the kit.

Several advantages of this construction toy kit and tile are that they:

-   -   a.) increase creativity of the users by allowing a variety of        different connection configurations;    -   b.) provides an opportunity for users to learn about different        interlocking mechanisms;    -   c.) creates a construction toy with a low profile; and    -   d.) reduces the risk of injury to the user.

It is an object of this invention to provide a low-profile constructiontoy.

It is another object of this invention to reduce the weight of toy tileswithout compromising structural integrity.

It is a further object of this invention to allow creative play.

It is yet another object of this invention to allow a plurality ofcombinations of tiles via different coupling methods.

One or more of the above-disclosed embodiments, in addition to certainalternatives, are provided in further detail below with reference to theattached figures. The disclosed subject matter is not, however, limitedto any particular embodiment disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the tile having a4×4 coupling stud configuration.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of one embodiment of the tile having a 4×4 solidcoupling stud configuration.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of one embodiment of a rectangular tile.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of one embodiment of a square tile comprisinga recess.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of one embodiment of the tile comprising asupport structure and a 4×4 configuration of coupling studs.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the tile comprisinga support structure and a 2×4 configuration of coupling studs.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the tile shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the tile comprising asupport structure and a recess.

The disclosed embodiments may be better understood by referring to thefigures in the attached drawings, as provided below. The attachedfigures are provided as non-limiting examples for providing an enablingdescription of the method and system claimed. Attention is called to thefact, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typicalembodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered aslimiting of its scope. One skilled in the art will understand that theinvention may be practiced without some of the details included in orderto provide a thorough enabling description of such embodiments.Well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described indetail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of theembodiments.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figuresillustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions anddetails of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in thedrawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodimentsof the present invention. The same reference numerals in differentfigures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in thedescription and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishingbetween similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particularsequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the termsso used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such thatthe embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operationin sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variationsthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises alist of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but mayinclude other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process,method, system, article, device, or apparatus

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the likeshould be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or moreelements or signals, electrically, mechanically or otherwise. Two ormore electrical elements may be electrically coupled, but notmechanically or otherwise coupled; two or more mechanical elements maybe mechanically coupled, but not electrically or otherwise coupled; twoor more electrical elements may be mechanically coupled, but notelectrically or otherwise coupled. Coupling (whether mechanical,electrical, or otherwise) may be for any length of time, e.g., permanentor semi-permanent or only for an instant.

The term “equal” and the like should be broadly understood as beingwithin defined tolerances that are known to those of ordinary skill inthe art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Having summarized various aspects of the present disclosure, referencewill now be made in detail to that which is illustrated in the drawings.While the disclosure will be described in connection with thesedrawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment orembodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the intent is to cover allalternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spiritand scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , one exemplary embodiment of a tile 100may comprise a first plate 110, a second plate 120, and a sidewall 102connecting the first plate 110 and the second plate 120. The first plate110 may comprise at least one coupling stud 130. In this exemplaryembodiment, the tile 100 is shaped as a square and comprises 16 tilesarranged in a four stud by four stud (“4×4”) configuration.

The first plate 110 may be parallel to the second plate 120. As shown inFIG. 1 , the sidewall 102 may extend from at least one edge 104 of thefirst plate 110 to the second plate. It is contemplated that thesidewall 102 may be continuous along the entire first plate 110,however, it may be provided in segments as necessary or desired.

The first plate 110 may comprise at least one coupling stud 130. In someembodiments, the at least one coupling stud 130 may take any variety ofshapes and forms. For the sake of brevity, however, certain clarifyingexamples will be discussed with reference to the figures. In addition,the number of coupling studs shall not be limited. For instance, in someembodiments, the at least one coupling stud 130 may be an even number ofcoupling studs 130, though this is not necessary to practice theinvention. In one example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the first plate 110 maycomprise sixteen coupling studs 130 as a squared number of equallyspaced coupling studs dispersed across an outer surface 112 of the firstplate 110. As further examples and without limitation, the first plate110 may comprise two, four, six, eight, ten, twenty, forty, ninety-six,or one-hundred-forty-four or even more coupling studs 130. A person ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that these numbers areprovided for example and without limitation, and that other numbers ofstuds are available in the present invention.

In the exemplary embodiment reflected in FIG. 1 , the at least onecoupling stud 130 may comprise a wall 134 defining a hollow 132extending from the distal end of the at least one coupling stud 130 tothe outer surface 112 of the first plate 110. In some exemplaryembodiments, the wall 134 may comprise a means for locking couplingstuds 138.

The wall 134 defining the hollow 132 of at least one coupling stud 132may be a non-uniform diameter. For example, and without limitation, thewall 134 may have a greater diameter at the distal end than at theproximate end. In some exemplary embodiment, the proximate end of thehollow 132 may comprise a means for locking coupling studs 138 operativeto improve mating between the tiles. The means for locking couplingstuds 138 may, for example and without limitation, be a latch, groove,hook, and/or pincher.

It is contemplated that the second plate 120 may comprise at least onecoupling stud 130. In instances where the second plate 120 comprises atleast one coupling stud 130 it may be symmetrical to the at least onecoupling stud 130 on the first plate 110. It is further contemplatedthat in instances where the second plate 120 comprises an equal numberof the at least one coupling stud 130 as the at least one coupling stud130 on the first plate 110, the at least one coupling stud 130 on thesecond plate 120 may be offset from the at least one coupling stud 130on the first plate. In another embodiment, the second plate 120 maycomprise a different number of the at least one coupling stud 130 asshown on the first plate 110.

In some embodiments, the at least one coupling stud 130 may be solidrather than hollow. It is contemplated that a solid coupling stud 130may be operative to mate with the hollow 132 in the at least onecoupling stud of FIGS. 1 and 2 . As a clarifying example, an exemplarysolid coupling stud may be sized such that the diameter of such at leastone coupling stud 130 is operative to engage with the wall 134 definingthe hollow 132 in FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, a solid coupling stud130 of FIG. 1 may securely yet removably frictionally engage with thewall 134 of FIG. 1 .

With reference to FIG. 1 , the at least one coupling studs 130 on onetile 100 may be configured to mesh with the at least one coupling studs130 on another tile 100. For example, the space between the at least onecouplings stud 130 on one tile 100 may be operative to engage an outerportion of any wall defining any of the at least one coupling studs onanother tile. It is further understood that to mesh, the at least onecoupling stud 130 may be solid as shown in FIG. 2 , comprise a hollow132 as shown in FIG. 1 , or a combination thereof.

It is contemplated that in the construction toy kit, at least one of theplurality of tiles may be operative to couple with at least one of theplurality of tiles. For example, and without limitation, the at leastone of the plurality of tiles may be operative to mate with at least oneof the plurality of tiles. The at least one of the plurality of tilesmay further be operative to mesh with at least one of the plurality oftiles. It is understood that, one tile in the kit may be operative tomate with another tile in the kit, but may not mate with all tiles inthe kit. Additionally, one tile in the kit may be operative to mesh withanother tile in the kit, but may not mesh with all tiles in the kit. Itis contemplated that by having a plurality of coupling options presentin one kit, a user may be exposed to a plurality of different connectionforms rendering the tiles and kit beneficial for learning andcreativity.

Alternative bottom perspective views of certain embodiments of tilescomprising the kit are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . It should be noted thatan exemplary rectangular tile is shown in FIG. 3 . As shown in FIG. 3 ,an exemplary second plate 320 may be flat. FIG. 4 , however, shows as analternative, that the second plate, such as that of the exemplary squaretile 100 first shown in FIG. 1 , may define a recess 436 as,concurrently or alternatively, a support structure (which will bediscussed below) and means for coupling one of the plurality of tiles inthe construction toy kit to another one of the plurality of tiles. InFIG. 4 the recess 436 is shown as a square, however, such recess may beany shape such as, without limitation rectangle, circle, stadium,triangle, or any other desirable shape. The recess 436 may be of a depthequal to the height of the at least one coupling stud 130. It is furthercontemplated, that in some embodiments, the recess 436 may be of a depthless than the height of the at least one coupling stud 130. In anotherembodiment, the recess 436 may be of a depth greater than the height ofthe at least one coupling stud 130. In some embodiments, the depth ofthe recess 436 may be equal to the height of the sidewall 102 such thatthe recess terminates on the first plate 410 of the tile.

The recess 436 may have an outer dimension less than the outer dimensionof the tile 400. In certain exemplar embodiments, the outer dimension ofthe recess 436 may be sized such that it is operative to engage with theat least one coupling stud on at least one of the plurality of tiles inthe construction toy kit. As a clarifying example, the recess 436 may besized such that at least one coupling stud of another tile mayfrictionally contact a wall or boundary defining the recess 436.

The recess 436 may further comprise an embossed design. The embosseddesign may, for example and without limitation, comprise an image,letter, pattern, or other design.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a tile 500 comprisingsixteen coupling studs 530 arranged in a 4×4 configuration, a firstplate 510, and a support structure 540 interposed between the firstplate 510 and a second plate (obscured from view). More particularly,the first and second plates are composed of transparent material thatprovides a view of the support structure interposed therein. FIG. 6illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a tile 600 comprising asupport structure 640 interposed between a first plate 510 and a secondplate (obscured from view), the tile 600 comprising eight coupling studs630 arranged in a two stud by four stud (“2×4”) configuration.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate alternative exemplary embodiments of a tilecomprising a support structure interposed between the first plate andthe second plate configured to provide structural support to the plates.The structural support may, for example, increase the tensile,compressive, sheer strength, or combinations thereof of the tile whilereducing the overall weight and necessary material. That is, providing asupport structure reduces any need of providing a solid tile to reduceflexion and possible breakage of each of the plates.

The support structure may be in any shape suitable to provide support tothe plates. For example and without limitation, the support structuremay be a circle, square, rectangle, triangle, stadium, beam, or anyother suitable shape. In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 ,the shape of the support structure 640 may mimic the shape as the tile500. However, it is contemplated that the shape of the support structuremay be different than the shape of the tile.

It is contemplated the density of the support structure may vary. Forexample, and without limitation, the density of the support structuremay be 100% such that it is a solid structure. As a further example, thedensity of the support structure may be 20% in order to reduce necessarymaterial and weight. In such embodiments when the density is less than100% it is contemplated that the infill may be a variety of patterns.The patterns may, for example and without limitation, be honeycomb,grid, line, truss, contour, point, or web. A person of ordinary skill inthe art will understand that other infill patterns, as known in the art,are available in the present invention and the foregoing are provided asexamples only.

The support structure may be centered, such that the tile and thesupport structure are concentric. It is contemplated that the supportstructure may have smaller dimension than the outer dimensions of thetile. Some support structures may be sized such that their dimensionsare in a range inclusive of 99% and 1% of the outer dimensions of thetile. In certain exemplary embodiments, the support structure may havedimensions such that they are in a range inclusive of 75% and 25% of theouter dimensions of the tile or 60% and 50% of the tile.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the support structure may define therecess 436 shown in FIG. 4 .

Exploded views of tile 100 are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 illustratingexemplary internal structures and surfaces. More particularly, FIG. 7illustrates an exploded view of the tile shown in FIG. 5 . It iscontemplated that the second plate 520 and the first plate 510 as shownin FIG. 7 may be separate pieces which have been adhered to one anotherby, for example and without limitation, melt processing, glue, or pressfit.

As shown in FIG. 7 , support structure 540 may be integrated, in onenon-limiting embodiment, into a central portion of the second plate 520and configured to extend inwards toward the inner surface 714 of thefirst plate 510. In another embodiment, the first plate 510 may furthercomprise the support structure 540 that extends inwards towards theinner surface 724 of the second plate 520. In such an embodiment, thesupport structure 740 may comprise multiple components of the firstplate 110 and second plate 120 wherein when combined the supportstructure 540 is created.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded view of a tile 800 comprising sixteencoupling studs 830 arranged in a 4×4 configuration, a support structure840, and a recess 836 defined by the support structure 840. The supportstructure 840 may fully define the recess 836 such that the recess 836terminates at the inner surface 814 of the first plate 810. The recess836 may terminate at any point along the support structure 840. It iscontemplated that in some embodiments, not shown, the support structuremay define a recess on the first and second plate of a tile such thatthe tile comprises an opening.

It is contemplated that the tile as shown in any embodiment may be madeout of any suitable material. In one exemplary embodiment the tile maybe made out of plastic, such as without limitation, acrylic,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyethylene terephthalate glycol,polystyrene, or polypropylene. A person of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate all types of plastic that may be used in the presentinvention.

The tile may be made of transparent, translucent, or opaque material. Ininstances where the tile comprises a support structure, the transparentor translucent material may allow the support structure to be viewedthrough the material. The tile may further comprise a combination of theaforementioned materials.

A toy construction kit may comprise any combination of the tilesdiscussed above.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

While certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, various modifications are contemplated and can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, the construction toy kit and tile may comprise other forms ofcouplings not disclosed here. Accordingly, it is intended that theinvention not be limited, except as by the appended claim(s).

The teachings disclosed herein may be applied to other systems, and maynot necessarily be limited to any described herein. The elements andacts of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applicationsand other references, including any that may be listed in accompanyingfiling papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of theinvention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems,functions and concepts of the various references described above toprovide yet further embodiments of the invention.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the toy construction kit and tile with whichthat terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in thefollowing claims should not be constructed to limit the toy constructionkit and tile to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specificationunless the above description section explicitly define such terms.Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not only the disclosedembodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementingthe disclosed system, method and apparatus. The above description ofembodiments of the toy construction kit and tile is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed above or to aparticular field of usage.

While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the method, system, andapparatus are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible for which those skilled in therelevant art will recognize.

While certain aspects of the method and system disclosed are presentedbelow in particular claim forms, various aspects of the method, system,and apparatus are contemplated in any number of claim forms. Thus, theinventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing theapplication to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects ofthe toy construction kit and tile.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

While certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, various modifications are contemplated and can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, the construction toy kit and tile may comprise other forms ofcouplings not disclosed here. Accordingly, it is intended that theinvention not be limited, except as by the appended claim(s).

The teachings disclosed herein may be applied to other systems, and maynot necessarily be limited to any described herein. The elements andacts of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applicationsand other references, including any that may be listed in accompanyingfiling papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of theinvention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems,functions and concepts of the various references described above toprovide yet further embodiments of the invention.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the toy construction kit and tile with whichthat terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in thefollowing claims should not be constructed to limit the toy constructionkit and tile to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specificationunless the above description section explicitly define such terms.Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not only the disclosedembodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementingthe disclosed system, method and apparatus. The above description ofembodiments of the toy construction kit and tile is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed above or to aparticular field of usage.

While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the method, system, andapparatus are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible for which those skilled in therelevant art will recognize.

While certain aspects of the method and system disclosed are presentedbelow in particular claim forms, various aspects of the method, system,and apparatus are contemplated in any number of claim forms. Thus, theinventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing theapplication to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects ofthe toy construction kit and tile.

1.-10. (canceled)
 11. A toy tile comprising: a first plate having atleast one edge, an outer surface, and an inner surface, a. at least onecoupling stud extending outward from the outer surface of the firstplate; b. a second plate having at least one edge, an outer surface, andan inner surface; c. at least one side wall extending between the firstand second plates; and d. a support structure interposed between theinner surfaces of each of the first and second plates.
 12. The toy tileof claim 11, wherein the second plate comprises a means for couplingwith the at least one coupling stud, wherein the means for coupling isselected from a group consisting of a recess, at least one couplingstud, or combinations thereof.
 13. The toy tile of claim 11, wherein theat least one side wall is integrated with the at least one edge of thefirst plate.
 14. The toy tile of claim 11, wherein the support structureis integrated into a central portion of the second plate and configuredto extend inwards toward the inner surface of the first plate. 15.(canceled)
 16. The toy tile of claim 11, wherein the support structureis defined by a shape selected from a group consisting of a line,stadium, parallelogram, triangle, circle, or combinations thereof. 17.The kit of claim 11, wherein the at least one coupling stud comprises awall defining a hollow.
 18. The toy tile of claim 17, wherein the hollowextends from a distal surface of the at least one coupling stud towardsthe outer surface of the first plate, wherein the hollow comprises ameans for locking the at least one coupling studs configured for mating.19. An interlocking toy tile comprising: a first plate having at leastone edge, an outer surface, and an inner surface; a. at least onecoupling stud extending outward from the outer surface of the firstplate; b. a second plate having at least one edge, an outer surface, andan inner surface, the outer surface of the second plate comprising ameans for coupling selected from a group consisting of a recess, atleast one coupling stud, or combinations thereof; c. at least one sidewall extending between the first and second plates; and d. a supportstructure integrated into a central portion of the second plate andconfigured to extend inwards to the inner surface of the first plate.